Dampening device for endoscopic surgical stapler

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a shaft and an end effector. The end effector may comprise a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw may be movable relative to the second jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The surgical instrument may comprise a closure assembly which may be operably engaged with the first jaw. The closure assembly may comprise a closure trigger and a dampening system. The closure trigger may be configured to be actuated from a first position to a second position to close the first jaw. The dampening system may be configured to retard the opening of the closure trigger. The dampening system may comprise an aperture configured to receive the projection at a first end of the aperture and a seal configured to form a fluid seal between said projection and said aperture sidewall.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present application is related to the following commonly-owned U.S. Patent Applications filed concurrently herewith, and which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:[0002](1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 821,425, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,229, entitled END EFFECTOR CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT;[0003](2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 821,426, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,150, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANTI-BACK UP MECHANISM;[0004](3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 821,347, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,685, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH A RETURN MECHANISM;[0005](4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 821,455, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,549,564, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTCULATING END EFFECTOR; and.[0006](5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 821,277, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS.[0007]1. Field of the Invention[0008]The present inventio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a surgical instrument with a closure assembly that can be used to open and close a jaw. The closure assembly includes a trigger and a dampening system. The trigger is designed to be actuated from a first position to a second position to close the jaw, while the dampening system slows down the movement of the trigger to prevent it from closing too quickly. This allows for smoother and more controlled use of the surgical instrument.

Problems solved by technology

Such staplers, however, are often difficult to use as such opening springs often apply a biasing force to the closure trigger which can, in various circumstances, cause the closure trigger to open and thus the first and second jaws of the end effector to automatically spring open with excessive force which may damage tissue surrounding the end effector.

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